Ventura County Students Safe After Fatal Bus Crash

Oxnard and Camarillo students learn their classmates are ok

ORLAND, Calif. - Two Ventura County students on board a bus headed to a university tour survived the fiery collision and explosion north of Sacramento Thursday. Neither of the local students were injured.

Santiago Calderon, a senior at Oxnard High School and Desha Arthur a senior at Adolfo Camarillo High were with a group on a trip to visit Humboldt State University in Arcata, in northwestern California.

The accident occured on Interstate 5 near Orland, about 100 miles north of Sacramento. California Highway Patrol investigators determined a FedEx truck crossed the median and hit the bus carrying students and chaperones en route to visit the university.

10 people died in the accident including five students, both drivers and three adult chaperones.

The Oxnard Union High School District released this statement about the status of the two local students: "

Our District and community is saddened to hear about the tragic bus accident that occurred in Northern California. We feel deeply about the students who lost their lives and our hearts are with their families. The Oxnard Union High School District had two students on the bus (one from Oxnard High School and one from Adolfo Camarillo High School). Both students were not injured and are safe. The students were released to their parents after leaving the hospital."

Oxnard High School students said their teachers talked about the incedent in class today. Many said they still plan to attend campus tours during spring break next week.

Humboldt's website said the bus that was hit was one of three buses transporting high school seniors to the university as part of a program called Preview Plus. About half the student choose Humboldt after the tour, the university says. The program is open to many low income and first generation college students.

CHP investigators have yet to determine what caused the FedEx truck to cross the median. Federal investigators will also investigate whether the center median on that stretch of freeway should include guard rails.